Frank looked up at the street name and decided to first try finding Major Davenport at his Liverpool townhouse. He checked the address he had been given by Lord Wellingham, who had also given him the Major's business address and the name of the club he frequented. Wherever the Major was, Frank only hoped he would find the man soon, as he had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was about to go terribly wrong. He first experienced the sensation after Jazira had eagerly agreed to return home with him. She had jumped down from the fence, pulling Frank down with her and hugged him tightly. He had held her close as she expressed her gratitude repeatedly. The trip had been worth it, just for him to make her so completely happy. Then Jazira had pulled away from him, laughing and clapping in her excitement. Frank had chased her, caught her in his arms and the world stood still. It was a perfect moment and it was then the apprehension struck his heart, and even with his early departure from the manor and the long ride to Liverpool, the feeling had not dissipated as he had hoped it would.

Frank followed Tristan Street to the row of townhouses and found #9 as indicated by Lord Wellingham. It was noon and Frank chanced that the Major might be home for lunch. As he dismounted and tied his mustang to the hitching post, Frank wished that perhaps his anxiety was concerning this interview with the Major over Al-Hattal. He adjusted his suit before knocking at the heavy door. It swung open right away and a young footman stood in the entrance and asked,

"Frank Hopkins?"

Frank was taken by surprise and responded, "Yes. Apparently I have the right address. This is Major Davenport's residence?"

The footman held the door open for Frank to come inside and answered, "Yes, the Major was expecting you."

Frank followed the man inside the lavish apartment, puzzled and saying under his breath, "Well, that's mighty interesting."

The footman said, "The Major is eating lunch at the moment, would you care to join him or wait?"

Frank wanted the Major in a genial mood when he made his offer and said, "No, no, I'll wait. Let him take his time."

Frank sat in the parlor contemplating the disadvantages of living in town when Major Davenport stiffly entered the room. Frank immediately stood up out of respect and looked at the aging man with new appreciation. Major Davenport graciously shook his hand and said,

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins. You're the Express rider that won the Bedouin Race a few years ago."

Frank smiled, "Yes, it seems like long time ago."

Major Davenport motioned towards a chair and both men sat down across from one another, the Major saying in a mechanical voice, "Does it now?"

Frank was trying to picture what could possibly brought Lady Anne and the Major together and he decided their relationship had been established on his wealth and her youth and beauty. The Major looked old and more battle weary than he had on the crossing to Arabia. Frank considered that marriage was probably the most difficult battle he had ever been engaged in.

Major Davenport broke into his thoughts saying, "You are probably wondering how I knew you were coming?"

"I was hoping you would get around to explaining that," Frank said candidly.

Major Davenport's smile was grim as he answered, "Lord Wellingham is a great friend of mine from years past. He sent me a wire and told me you would be arriving."

Frank nodded slowly, wondering what else Wellingham had mentioned. He finally asked, "Did he tell you why I was coming?"

For the first time since meeting Major Davenport, his eyes lit up, but he said cryptically, "He spoke of your visit in terms that I alone would understand."

The dull look returned and he added, "I shall leave it up to you to enlighten me further."

Frank rested his arms on his knees as he leaned forward, his hands clasped together in earnestness. He began, "I have come on business, Major. I want to buy the stallion, Al-Hattal from you."

Major Davenport said serenely, "That is my wife's prize, why not do your business with her?"

Frank weighed his answer before responding, "Because frankly, sir, I do not trust Lady Davenport. I have witnessed great acts of disloyalty on her part, and it has left me with the belief that she thinks only of herself, neglecting what is good and right for others."

Frank looked closely at the Major to catch the man's response from his blunt words. The older man's eyes had briefly caught fire and then extinguished themselves. The Major said forthrightly, "Or is it Mr. Hopkins, that you know my wife would refuse to even consider your offer, much less strike a deal with you."

Frank admitted, "That is true, she has sought after Al-Hattal most of her life. I doubt she ever plans to relinquish or sell him."

Major Davenport folded his hands, "So, once again, Mr. Hopkins, why did you come to me?"

Major Davenport seemed to want a specific answer and Frank gave it to him, as he squared his shoulders saying, "Because I love the woman, that your wife bought the stallion from. Al-Hattal to her is not bloodline, or perfection, or fame, or wealth. He is her past, her family, her home, and it is all she has left of those people and places. These are attributes I find you in more sympathy with, than your wife."

Major Davenport's eyes glistened, his pale cheeks flushed as he rested his chin on his hand, "You are an eloquent speaker Mr. Hopkins. And I do have sympathy for the young woman you speak of. I take it, you will be leaving for America shortly. Perhaps after you have had an opportunity to have an Al-Hattal cross for your mare."

Frank noticed the shadow of suspicion in the Major's eyes and answered, "I am hoping to return home soon, and Jazira, the young woman I speak of, has accepted my invitation to return with me. I came to England for the sole purpose of learning her whereabouts. I knew her history was tragic when I learned that your wife had possession of Al-Hattal. I do not plan to return to America without her or her inheritance."

Major Davenport's eyes drilled him as he said, "Boldly spoken Mr. Hopkins. You may be in England longer than you plan."

Frank was tired of playing this game and jumped to the topic that was sure to interest the Major, "I will pay $60,000 for him."

The amount caught Major Davenport's attention and he leaned forward saying in disbelief, "That much? Even my wife never offered the Sheik that much. You think that horse is worth that much?"

Frank looked down at his hat, clutched in one hand and then back up at Major Davenport, "Not the horse, Major, his rightful owner, the Sheik's daughter."

Frank could tell that Major Davenport was mentally checking and calculating his accounts and he added to sweeten the pot, "Not to mention, your wife does not even have to stallion's breeding book, she would never be offered that amount for Al-Hattal, or one of his foals from anyone else."

The Major's face was alive with expression as he said, "$60,000, incredible!"

Frank smiled, "That's my offer, and without the book, a generous one."

Major Davenport grinned, "Yes it is, and I accept your offer Mr. Hopkins, not only because of the money, but because of your character, as well as the young lady you spoke of. Would you like to call on my lawyer and draw up the terms of sale. As you know, you're going to need them when you face Lady Davenport."

Major Davenport called for his footman and ordered him to run ahead to his lawyer and prepare him for this unexpected visit. As the footman ran off to carry out his instructions, Major Davenport without a word disappeared down the hall. When he returned he had a leather volume in his hand. He looked at it a moment, then tossed it across the room to Frank who caught it easily. It was the Al-Khamsa manuscripts, the Sheik's breeding book. Frank was speechless, as he looked up at the Major in complete disbelief. Major Davenport gave him a sardonic smile saying,

"Won't Anne be surprised when you return to Coventry."

The older man's eyes danced with mischief and Frank understood the implication. The cowboy said with a grin on his face, "Western justice, partner."